Pittsburgh Penguins vs New Jersey Devils Prediction, 12/21/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs New Jersey Devils

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024

Location: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Penguins (+220) Devils (-275)

The New Jersey Devils (21-10-3) will try to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins (14-14-5) at Prudential Center on Saturday. The moneyline on this game has the Penguins at +220 and the Devils are priced at -275. The total has been set at 6.5.

The Pittsburgh Penguins had a good night with a 3-2 victory over the Kings in the last game they played. The Penguins were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in this victory. For the outing, they were able to notch a goal on 3 out of the 31 shots they put on goal. They also had 3 power play opportunities but didn't convert them into a score. Pittsburgh accounted for 6 mins in the box in this contest.

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While at even strength, the Penguins have conceded 104 goals while getting 78 of their own. Pittsburgh Penguins opponents have recorded 96 power play opportunities (14th in hockey) and have scored 17 goals in those chances. In the matter of scoring goals, the Pittsburgh Penguins have racked up 99 goals (12th in hockey) this season and have given up 121. Pittsburgh has tried 978 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.1%. For the season, they have recorded 33 points and their points % is .500. The Penguins so far have had 1,055 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .885. Pittsburgh has accumulated 94 power play opportunities and they have notched 21 goals out of those chances, giving them a rate of 22.34%.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Tristan Jarry. Jarry has taken the ice for 270 games over the course of his hockey career. He has a record of 142-89-27 and he has started in 259 games. The opposition has racked up 694 goals versus Jarry in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.87. Jarry has seen 7,736 shot attempts against him and has recorded 7,042 total saves. His save percentage sits at .910 during his 14,491 minutes on the ice. Over the course of his career, Jarry has compiled 155 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .598.

In their last game, New Jersey faced the Blues in an outing where the Devils earned a victory by a tally of 4-1. They had 3 power play chances in this contest and netted 1 out of those opportunities. The Devils earned 4 goals of the 28 shots on goal they pursued.

On the year, the New Jersey Devils have accounted for 114 goals, 45 points, as well as a points percentage of .662. They have permitted 87 goals to be scored by way of 70 goals at even strength and 17 goals while they were shorthanded. The Devils have scored 83 goals at even strength and 31 goals (2nd in the league) while on the power play. They have a total of 103 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 30.10%. New Jersey has put up 1,025 shots (1st in the NHL) and has a shot percentage of 11.12%, while allowing the opposition 878 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 82.11% on their opponents 95 chances on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 90.1%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Jacob Markstrom in net. His opponents are averaging 2.84 goals/game and he has given up 1,320 goals altogether. Markstrom's rate of quality starts is 53.0% and he has made 261 quality starting assignments in his career. He got the starting nod in 492 games and has been on the ice for 27,914 mins. Markstrom has amassed a lifetime mark of 231-202-59 and has been in net for 509 games. He is sitting with 13,176 saves out of 14,496 shots attempted, giving him a rate of .909.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take New Jersey (-275)

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